The Two of Swords has returned, and it returns in style! This chapter focuses on Telamon and Oida, and also introduces us to Saevus, a slaver. Parker shows us the economics of slavery, demonstrating how Saevus is working to help the people. It’s tongue-in-cheek (and I can’t help but wonder if the pronunciation of the name is part of it), but I’ll be damned if he doesn’t come across as a somewhat sympathetic character. It’s a large part of what makes Parker’s fiction work so well, considering that so many of his characters are despicable, but still likable.

Telamon is the central character here, and she’s one of the most sympathetic characters in the entire thing. It makes me wonder if she will wind up being the main character, along with Oida. The story began with a broad cast of characters, but as it progresses, we’re narrowing down to just a handful of characters, seeing how the others played in to their story. I like the development; I’ve mostly read just Parker’s novellas, where the focus stays on one or two characters, so it’s fun to watch him work from a broader palette.

The stories are to be collected and published in three print volumes before the end of the year, so it’s safe to say we should be getting the end of the story over the next few months. I’ve been waiting since February to get the rest of the story, which is pretty good, considering it had been late 2016 when the last chapter was published. I’m just glad I was able to remember enough of the story to not have to flounder about trying to remember the details from the previous chapters.

"'I daresay you haven't had much practice,' said the Queen. 'When I was younger, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.'"